Staff Materials Engineer

About the role

Corning Incorporated is seeking a Staff Materials Engineer to join our team in Corning, NY. This hands-on, lab-based role includes up to 25% domestic and international travel, and relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates. In this role, you'll apply deep expertise in glass science, ceramics, mineralogy, and materials characterization to solve complex technical challenges and guide critical project decisions. Working alongside scientists, engineers, and manufacturing teams, you'll help evaluate new material candidates, investigate material and process interactions, interpret analytical data, and drive solutions that improve product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and technology readiness. From early-stage development through manufacturing support, your technical insights will help transform scientific understanding into practical business impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate material and process interactions through structured problem-solving and hands-on lab work to drive root cause understanding
• Apply glass science and mineralogy expertise across project teams — from early-stage material candidate screening through manufacturing troubleshooting and defect reduction
• Design and execute characterization analyses — including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and optical microscopy — to characterize materials and identify root causes
• Interpret and communicate experimental findings clearly to engineers, scientists, and manufacturing partners
• Drive yield improvement, defect reduction, and process efficiency through applied materials fundamentals
• Document findings in structured technical reports and advance work from investigation through resolution
• Manage multiple concurrent analytical requests while maintaining data quality and project momentum

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Materials Science, Geology, Ceramic Engineering, or a related field — Master's with 7+ years of relevant experience, or PhD with 2+ years of relevant industry or applied research experience
• Background in glass science, ceramics, mineralogy, or materials characterization
• Hands-on lab experience with materials characterization techniques
• Experience in defect analysis, root cause investigation, or process-materials interactions

Desired Qualifications

• PhD with 5+ years of industry experience in glass science, ceramics, or materials characterization
• Hands-on experience with SEM, EDX, and optical microscopy for materials characterization
• Working knowledge of advanced analytical methods such as electron microprobe, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), or Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
• Experience applying statistical or data-driven methods to interpret experimental results and support technical decisions
• Background in R&D-to-manufacturing scale-up, process troubleshooting, or translating technical findings into manufacturing solutions
• Experience initiating research programs or preparing research proposal documentation

Pay

• $92,954.00 - $127,812.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

Benefits

• 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career
• Matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan — Corning's total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service
• Medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives aligned with key business results
• Recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions